Posts tagged makeup
Copacabana – a spring essential!!
13 years ago
Rio’s most popular neighborhood but my favorite highlighter for all skintones which is no easy feat. Think about it, what shade can possibly work on gold, pink, peach undertones – answer: NARS illuminator in “Copacabana”, this released early spring.
NARS Copacabana Illuminator
Like the others you can rock it alone or blend with your moisturizers or liquid foundations. Wear it on the face & body because its meant for two purposes (“don’t we just love the convertible products that can be used for multi-use”).
Let’s talk packaging for a second, the old Copacabana was housed in a black tube called the Multiple (stick), it was revolutionary because you could use it on eyes, lips, cheeks – perfect for the novice or pro because it was mistake proof. You had good control by winding it up to your use – 
the new version comes in a see-thru tube requiring more control, sure you can dispense at your discretion but don’t over squeeze – you’ll WASTE. 
All the press say this product “lights the skin” from within, its true! This baby glides on, melts away and produces the most ahhhmazzzzzing glow; there’s a difference between disco shimmer and a healthy glow – NARS gets’ it. The texture of this is sheer so you can build it to your individual wants/needs. I like two layers because radiant skin is my signature, I’m no matte girl.
Makeup shades, formulas are forever changing but beauties, I’m here to say — this needs to stay forever put!!
NARS Spring 2011 Collection
13 years ago
Even though I love the spring/summer weather and fashion, my favorite colors come with the autumn/winter collections. But looking at some of the upcoming Spring Collections, I’m starting to reconsider. NARS Cosmetics Spring collection is full of awesome colors, in his own words:
Spring 2011 is the epitome of minimalism, reaching a sensual peak with fresh, forward color. Jeweled earth tones are infused with a metallic finish that lends a subtly sleek finish. Cool compliments of sheer and sparkling lips pair with unexpected accents of parrot green and vivid blue.
And here is what part of the collection looks like, not sure if I can pull off Parrot Green on my eyelids, but I’m definitely going for the Golden Desperado Nail Polish and the Deep Purple Nana Lip Gloss.
Cosmetics Palettes: Smashbox, Sephora, Kat Von D
13 years ago
Maybe you might have noticed I write about all type of cosmetics, except for eyeshadows. There’s a very good reason for it, and it’s that I’m awful at putting on eye shadows. No matter how much I try or practice, it still seems like a 5-year-old did it. But recently I’ve seen several sets that are tempting me to keep on trying and master the art of applying eye shadow.
This one is my favorite from Smashbox, its called Master’s Class Style Files and its a set of three portable palettes for eyes, lips, and cheeks. The set contains:
- 8 eye shadow colors ranging from neutrals to dark jewel tones.
- 4 cream eye liners in golden beige, warm brown, gunmetal gray and deep purple.
- 2 pencil eye liners in black and brown.
- 2 lip gloss in coral and nude champagne.
- 2 cheek shades in peachy pink and suntan beige
- Bonus: Photo Finish Lid Primer Packet
And last for the reason this one is my pick, an instructional step-by-step guide for five different looks that range from a clean daytime look to a complete vamp. Maybe even I can learn to use them.
I bought Sephora Color Play – 5 in 1 II – Fashion Edition for my sister over the holidays and she loves it, then again, she knows what she’s doing. The cool thing about this one is not only the huge amount of cosmetics you get, but they are also portable. The set comes with an empty case so you can pick one of the sub-palettes and take it with you.
Stories for the five sub-palettes:
- Boho Bombshell: dark blues, warm taupes, warm golds
- Classics Never Die: brown smoky eyes
- Angelic Boudoir: nudes and sands, with a touch of bright blue and fuchsia
- Black Is The New Black: black smoky eyes
- A Nod To Mod: bright blues, greens, pink, purples
Each of the five sub-palettes includes:
- 10 eye-shadows
- 2 lip colors
- 1 blush
Of course when it comes to eye makeup, I yield the floor to the amazing Kat Von D.
“This is dedicated to those who are self-created, self-reliant, self made, and independent.” —Kat Von D
Unlike the other sets the Tattoo Chronicles Palette concentrates only on the eyes. This set is dedicated to make your eyes look like a rock-star, the set itself looks very cool and has a secret compartment with a double-ended rollerball fragrance sinner and saint.
This set contains:
- 1 pair False Eyelashes
- 12 Eye shadows in Tijuana, Taxidermy, Hollywood, Peanut, Redemption, Solitude, Heartkiller, Baudelaire, Monastary, Poe Blue, Nite Owl, Lemmy
- 3 High Voltage Primers in Skin, Stellar, Smoky
- 2 Double-Ended Saint/Sinner Roller-ball
Affordable Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
13 years ago
During the Holidays whether you indulged in extra eating, extra drinking, non-existing exercise, or if you’re like me, extra spending. January is normally the month to get back on track, eat less, exercise more and be kinder to our wallets. Suddenly $18 for a eyeliner is not that appealing, no matter how awesome it might be.
The other challenge is to keep purchasing cruelty-free products at a reasonable price. While doing research for this article, I noticed that leapingbunny.org and peta.com don’t have the same companies on their list, for example Almay is in Peta’s list but not on Leaping Bunny. You can look at the lists and decide for yourself on which companies to buy from. This article will focus on the ones I found on the Peta list, that I would also find at a grocery or drugstore.
Almay
Combining the names of the founders, Alfred and Fanny May, Almay was established in 1931 and began to manufacture their new, gentler cosmetics for women everywhere.Since then, Almay has been the first hypoallergenic cosmetics brand, the first brand to make 100% fragrance-free products and to disclose all ingredients used, the first brand to perform safety testing for allergy and irritation, the first brand to formulate for contact lens wearers and, you guessed it, the first brand to create cosmetic regimens for specific skin types.
With cosmetics priced from $5 to $15, Almay has a great line of cosmetics, although it is limited in the color choice. Some of my favorite Almay products are the concealer, a eyeshadow trio that intensifies my brown eyes and eyeliners.
Revlon
Revlon was founded in 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the “L” in the REVLON name. Starting with a single product – a nail enamel unlike any before it – the three founders pooled their meager resources and developed a unique manufacturing process.
Since then Revlon is a major contender in the cosmetics markets with commercials and celebrity endorsements like Halle Berry and Jessica Alba. With prices ranging from $3.50 to $12.50 Revlon offers many more color choices as well as constant product introductions. This is a very innovative company with great products.
Wet n Wild
With pretty much all products under $6 dollars, Wet n Wild is the most affordable brand out there. In this case, I can’t say I have too much experience with the brand, but that’s just the snob in me. I’ll try some of its products and if I see something worthwhile, I’ll tell you about it.
Avon
Even though Avon is not found in your local store, it is very accessible since I’m sure everyone knows someone who sells Avon. In my case, I buy online from my cousin who lives in Phoenix, AZ. I have a special place in my heart for this company since my Mom used to sell it when I was a kid. Loved to see all the little samples and the goodies people bought and I still get a thrill when I see the catalog. I use their Anew line and I really love it, as for their makeup line it has some hits and misses, for example, their nail polish does not compare to the quality I’m used to with OPI. But the rest of the cosmetics are great for the prices, which range from $0.99 to $20.00 . My personal favorites are the plumping lipsticks. With constant innovation and choices, you’ll find something and at those prices will probably end up with more products than you originally intended.
HIGHLIGHT action…
13 years ago
Convertible products can be fun just as in the case of driving a convertible; a girl loves having options…right? Since were talking “options” Mario Dedivanovic (Makeup Guru to Kimmie K.) created this highlighter that can be worn on the eye, on the brow bone or bridge of the nose – “3 uses in 1″…what more can a girl ask for?
When I dusted this product EYE M GLAM ($35), I found it to be light, airy, glossy – easy to pick up using my flat shadow brush but I didn’t stop there, next…I pulled out my NARS Botan brush and dabbed a little on my shoulders, decolletage…I always look to this brush because its dense and it buffs right into the skin. Its’ one of those silent giants (known for its softness yet burley-ness). Honestly, this EYE M GLAM mineral highlighter is definitely one of my favorite buys of the year, it is ahhhh-mazzzing for all skin complexions it doesn’t go ash nor does it have big chunks of kid-like glitter, is glamour in a jar. The color pay off, the glossy glow it gives had me hooked…I have Giella Cosmetics to thank!
My skin illuminated with this product, not only did my eyes sparkle…I was ready to take on the world if not the world then definitely my date, no doubt I was getting some “action”.
Sephora Favorites Lashes Unlimited
13 years ago
I’m practically drooling as I write this. From many of my other posts, mascaras are a big obsession of mine and Sephora just made me extremely happy. For the Holiday season, they are selling a Mascara Deluxe Sampler.
The one I bought was from Sephora at JCPenney, slightly different, it includes 9 mini-size mascaras, 1 full-size mascara and 1 primer. My intention is to try them on for the next couple of months and get my top 3 picks.
Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara – Blackest Black holds the style of your lashes for a continuous 12 hours with no flakiness. The silky, vitamin-rich formula darkens, lengthens, and thickens from root to tip without ever clumping. Its patented, hourglass-shaped brush is designed to lift and separate every lash while delivering the perfect amount of antioxidant-rich mascara needed for bigger, fuller lashes.
The BADgal line of mascaras from Benefit are full of “BAD-itude!” The rich, sexy formula and oversized brush build thick, beautiful and bodacious lashes.
Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Mascara
A one-of-a-kind mascara that is clinically proven to immediately increase the appearance of lash volume by 638%, while also increasing the appearance of lash length with regular use.
Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer
A one-of-a-kind lash primer that is clinically proven to immediately increase the appearance of lash volume by 739%, while also increasing the appearance of lash length with regular use.
A mascara that gives the lashes curl, volume, length, and intense pigment. This ultra-pigmented mascara was specially designed to give the lashes an exceptional volume-enhancing effect with infinite lengthening and immediate curling.
Sephora Collection Advanced Lash Booster
This mascara uses complete 360° action to fortify your fringe and deliver an instantly visible volumizing effect. A new technique harnesses coating elements, with perfectly rounded microspheres, to triple the penetration of active ingredients into the lashes; efficiency has been measured by scientific studies.
Smashbox Bionic is the first ionic mascara—it will leave you with longer, stronger, and more voluminous lashes! The specially-engineered brush coats lashes with our revolutionary long-wearing, water-resistant formula for a dramatic full lash. Aloe, silk, and wheat protein strengthen and condition.
Based on the world famous Lash Injection formula, Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara targets each lash to create the dramatically long, extremely defined, and separated lashes of your dreams! Like a mascara architect, Lash Injection Pinpoint’s exclusive 3D polymers build waterproof tubes around each lash that expand and stretch far, far beyond the natural lash while the sleek pinpoint precision brush separates and curls for the most divinely detailed, healthy lash look imaginable. Like paraffin dip treatments, moisture is locked into the lash by each tube, and lashes stay conditioned and hydrated.
Cargo LashActivator
A revolutionary black mascara that stimulates the growth of lash follicles, promotes lash vitality, and reduces lash loss. In just 30 days, LashActivator™ is clinically shown to boost the appearance of lashes by 169% over the rate of natural growth.
A dramatically volumizing mascara that delivers a fantastically fuller set of lashes. Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara is enriched with Abyssinia oil, a conditioning botanical that builds volume and length for lush, gorgeous, natural-looking lashes you will love.
Unique styling polymers and a special brush separate and curl your lashes while thickening and lengthening, while 11 essential Amino Acids condition and fortify your lashes.
So there you have it! I have several fun months trying them all. I’m very excited!
Temptu Airbrush
13 years ago
I went over to Sephora for a demonstration on a really cool product, which is the Temptu Airbrush system. Airbrushing makeup is not a new concept, professional makeup artists have been doing it for sometime, but the equipment was very bulky and the compressor felt so powerful the one time I did it I could barely breathe. Even though Temptu is not necessarily inexpensive, its also not out of reach for the non-professional makeup artist.
I recommend you go to the demo without makeup or primer so you can really look at the result. The foundation has a built-in primer and it will last for hours and hours. The pen itself if very light weight and even though it will take some space from your makeup counters its not as big as many of the craft airbrushes I’ve seen before.
All you do is insert a pod with the makeup, you can adjust some settings if you want a light, medium or full coverage and you’re off. It’s a funny sensation since all you feel is light air and wonder if it really is working, once you get to a mirror you see it has. After the foundation came the blush and in a way it looks like “Wii Makeup” where you’re holding the pen and doing strokes without touching the skin. To finalize the demonstration I got a couple of touches of highliter around my eyes for an extra kick and I just loved the end result.
The makeup itself comes in packages of 1 or 2 pods, but even if you use them everyday, they will last for many months.
The only thing I can say after using the product is that it made my T-Zone very shiny, I had to blot it and add a bit of powder one hour after application. It had a pleasant scent, but if you’re too sensitive to smells then it will overwhelm you. It didn’t fade throughout the night and was very easy to take it off at the end of the evening.
For now the only airbrush makeup offered is the Foundation, Blush and Highlighter and of course, Temptu does offer a line of Traditional Makeup. I definitely recommend getting at least a demo presentation at Sephora….maybe before going on a date or a party.
Advanced Makeup Brushes for your collection
14 years ago
In the final installment of the Makeup Brushes series, I’ll tell you about the most popular advanced brushes. These are only some of the brushes out there, as I was doing my research I kept finding new ones, but I choose to focus on the more popular ones. So here you are:
Bronzer Brush
A brush that helps diffuse and blend your bronzer. Similar to the Powder Brush with a rounder head to provide a smooth and even application of bronzer, this brush can be found in natural or Taklon fibers. To use, apply the bronzer directly on the brush, tapping off any excess, begin on the forehead, down to the nose and cheekbones. The goal with this brush is to leave the skin with a sun-kissed hint. The Bronzer Brush below is from the Sephora Collection.
Kabuki Brush
There are several types of Kabuki Brushes, this one from Sephora has no handle to make it easy to hold in the palm of your hand. This brush is used to apply mineral makeup and when used to buff the makeup in a circular motion, it will help blend the makeup and leave an airbrushed finish.
Stippling Brush
The Stippling Brush blends face products —wet or dry— into the skin for a flawless finish. Synthetic fibers in this Sephora brand brush, extend past the goat hairs to pick up two layers of product, which translates into a satiny appearance. The compact bristle packing gives ultimate control, too. The two levels of bristles let you layer product beautifully—and determine how sheer or heavy you want your coverage to be. The synthetic taklon hairs allow you to use it with wet or creamy products, like compact foundation. The application of the product will be by stippling or dabbing, in a way this is similar to stenciling or scrap-booking.
Fan Brush
This brush dusts, wipes, and re-distributes powders along your features. This Fan Brush from the Sephora brand is a mover more than a blender or spreader, this brush effectively “fans” away product, making it a must-have for clean up and removing eye-makeup fallout. The raccoon bristles are a bit stiffer than other brushes, so it moves and clears products easily along—or away from—the face.
Crease Brush
The Crease Brush has a round and tapered shape, perfect for getting right in the crease while softly feathering color out. The tapered bristles put you in complete control with every application. The Crease Brush from Urban Decay is not too stiff or too soft, but just right to help you achieve professional results.
Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush
A high-quality, two-in-one tool that makes achieving a smoldering-eye look a snap. Sephora Brand Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush is equipped with a slanted eyeliner brush and a smudge dome, which promises to create a downright stunning stare. Line the length of your upper and lower lashes with the slant end for a seductive start. Use the smudge end to draw darker shadow to the exterior of the eye or to outline the eye with a thick, bold line.
Kat Eye Brush Set
A five-piece makeup brush set, designed by Kat Von D especially for Sephora. The black-handled brushes are decorated with silver stenciled roses—inspired by Kat’s favorite tattoo—adding to the creative attitude. This is a one-stop eye brush set, which gives you a great start in your brush collection.
The set includes:
- Angled Eyeshadow Brush
- Eyeshadow Blending Brush
- Angled Brow Brush
- Smudge Brush
- Flat Eyeliner Brush
So there you are, if you are one of those talented people that can do miracles with makeup, then you owe it to all of us to collect and master these brushes. Trust me, people like me will be more than happy to let you apply makeup on us.